LANGKAWI – At least two officials have informed President Aquino of their intention to resign. They are Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and Bureau of Corrections Director Franklin Bucayu.

Speaking to reporters, Aquino said Petilla has mentioned his intention to resign as early as last year to attend to his “other plans” while Bucayu has asked to be replaced over health issues and death threats.

“I can promise you that Secretary Petilla will not leave the job na hindi siya sure that it’s in capable hands or everything is already in place that has to be attended to as secretary of energy. But I do recognize he and other members of the cabinet also have a right… to advance their own personal plans,” he said.

The President is already looking at potential candidates to replace Petilla.

Meanwhile, Aquino said he has already picked Bucayu’s replacement but declined to give specifics.

He spoke of the job’s difficulty, noting Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s revelation that the jammer installed inside BuCor to prevent illegal communication was instead used against Bucayu by those inside.

“Si Frank Bucayu has suffered issues with his health. Kaliwa’t kanan na raw ang death threats niya, etcetera. So he has asked to also be relieved. I have actually interviewed his replacement who was actually willing to accept the assignment already but I said, ‘Pag-isipan mo mabuti ito. Hindi ‘yung ‘pag pasok dyan, maiisip mo marami kang kakampi,” Aquino said.

There are also Cabinet members who wish to quit their posts ahead of the mandated deadline to pursue political plans for the 2016 elections.

“October is the deadline for filing [of certificates of candidacy]. I hope that I am able to fill their shoes [with] competent people who will just be there to oversee the remaining months prior to turnover,” Aquino said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, on the other hand, is not leaving his post even if he is facing medical issues, Aquino added.